Ponies, chickens die in barn fire near Wauconda

Two miniature ponies and several chickens died in a barn fire Friday afternoon near Wauconda.

Wauconda Fire District firefighters were called to the blaze at 2:15 p.m. on the 27000 block of West May Street.

The fire was contained to the barn, though a residence was just 15 feet away.

A lack of fire hydrants in the unincorporated area hampered efforts, fire officials said. Water tenders from neighboring departments assisted.

Damage was estimated at $150,000. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, but does not appear suspicious, fire officials said.